Published: December 12, 2006

European Union foreign ministers agreed to a partial freeze of Turkey's year-old membership negotiations after Turkey refused to open its ports to Cyprus, a union member. Turkey wants the union to end the isolation of the Turkish side of Cyprus, and diplomats said Cyprus was still blocking a renewed attempt to open direct trade links with the Turkish Cypriots. The European leaders agreed not to open negotiations on issues that touch on Turkey's relations with Cyprus, including trade, transport, agriculture and external relations. Even under full negotiations, Turkish admission to the European Union is not expected before 2020.